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All-Star Game, D-League Showcase HeadLine 2007-08 NBA Development League Schedule

July 24, 2007 - NBA G League (G League) News Release


NEW YORK, July 24, 2007 - The NBA Development League All-Star Game and the D-League Showcase highlight the 2007-08 NBA Development League schedule which was released today. The All-Star Game will be played as part of NBA Jam Session presented by adidas at 2008 NBA All-Star in New Orleans while the D-League Showcase will take place from Jan. 14-17 at Qwest Arena in Boise, Idaho.

"The All-Star Game and the D-League Showcase have become two pillars of our league," said D-League President Dan Reed. "Both events offer our fans a chance to enjoy the outstanding brand of basketball played in the D-League, and are tremendous experiences for our players. Importantly, they are also convenient opportunities for NBA GMs and scouts to evaluate the next crop of NBA contributors such as D-League alumni Matt Carroll, Mikki Moore and Matt Barnes."

The second D-League All-Star Game will be played on Saturday, Feb. 16 at Jam Session Center Court immediately following practices for the East and West NBA All-Star Teams. NBA TV will broadcast the game live. D-League All-Stars will be selected by a vote that includes fans and D-League coaches.

The Fourth Annual D-League Showcase moves to Boise this January with every game televised live by NBA TV. All 14 D-League teams will play in two games each at Qwest Arena in front of an expected gathering of scouts from all 30 NBA teams. Current NBA players Chuck Hayes and Smush Parker were called up to NBA teams immediately following past Showcases. Last season, 2006-07 D-League Defensive Player of the Year Renaldo Major was called up to the Golden State Warriors after just one game at the Showcase.

"The D-League Showcase has become one of the premiere locations for NBA scouts to evaluate talent for possible team acquisitions," said NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations Stu Jackson. "In each year of the Showcase, the talent level has been substantially better than the year before so we are expecting our best event yet in January."

With the expansion to 14 teams, the D-League is realigning into three divisions for the 2007-08 season. The Southwest and West divisions will feature five teams and the Central division four. Teams will play divisional foes eight to 10 times during the regular season and square off with non-division opponents twice.

"The realignment and scheduling structure encourages divisional rivalries," Reed said. "Plus, with this scheduling system, we had the ability to cut down on travel which we believe, in turn, will provide for a better product on the floor."

The Divisions for the 2007-08 season will break down as follows:

Central Southwest West

Dakota Albuquerque Anaheim

Fort Wayne Austin Bakersfield

Iowa Colorado Idaho

Sioux Falls Rio Grande Valley Los Angeles

Tulsa Utah A 50-game regular season schedule for each team is highlighted by nearly two-thirds of the total scheduled home games being played on the weekend, which has proven to be preferable to D-League fans in their search for affordable, family entertainment options.

The seventh D-League season begins Nov. 23 with five games, including the defending D-League Champion Dakota Wizards opening defense of their title by hosting the expansion Iowa Energy at Bismarck Civic Center. Also on opening night, Fort Wayne will return to the NBA family for the first time in 50 years when the Mad Ants hold their first ever home game, welcoming the Tulsa 66ers to Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, while the Rio Grande Valley Vipers also make their D-League debut by hosting the Austin Toros at Dodge Arena.

Entering its seventh season, the NBA Development League - the NBA's minor league established to develop talent across all disciplines for the NBA - has relocated its headquarters from Greenville, S.C. to New York City to help foster the D-League's continued growth by giving it direct access to the support and resources of the NBA and WNBA. During the 2006-07 season, 19 NBA teams assigned 24 players to D-League rosters, and 14 NBA teams called-up 16 players (‘Gatorade Call-ups') while 31 D-League alumni participated in the NBA Playoffs. Additionally, every referee hired by the NBA since 2002 has worked in the D-League, while coaches, athletic trainers and front office executives are also being developed. The 2007-08 NBA season will also include the first-ever D-League coach to be promoted to the NBA with Sam Vincent taking over head coaching duties for the Charlotte Bobcats.

Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the D-League offers NBA-quality basketball and fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. For additional information on the NBA Development League, visit NBADLEAGUE.com.

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